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Vietnam War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Sp4c David Charles Dolby, US Army
CONGRESSMAN KILDEE HONORS DAVID DOLBY -- HON. DALE E. KILDEE
(Extension of Remarks - June 21, 1994)
HON. DALE E. KILDEE
in the House of Representatives
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1994 - Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today before my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to pay tribute to an outstanding American, Mr. David Dolby, a Medal of Honor recipient. The Vietnam Veterans of America Genesee Chapter No. 175 will host a reception for Mr. Dolby, on Wednesday, June 22, 1994 at the Disabled Veterans Post No. 3, in my hometown of Flint, MI.
- Mr. Dolby joined the U.S. Army in February 1965, being assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Division. He served in the U.S. Army for 5 1/2 years, doing five tours in Vietnam. During his Vietnam service David earned many medals and citations for bravery. The awards given to David include the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver and three bronze stars, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with gilt star, the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal Second Class, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with `60' clasp, Cambodian Service-Honor Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, the Parachutist Badge, Valorous Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation with Palm insignia. Honorary awards received by David Dolby include the Republic of Vietnam Parachutist Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Ranger Badge and the Cambodian Parachutist Badge.
- Sergeant David Dolby was honored with our Nation's highest award--the Congressional Medal of Honor--for his acts of bravery and leadership displayed during an ambush of his platoon on October 20, 1967. Sergeant Dolby's platoon was advancing tactically when it came under intense enemy fire from the immediate front. Six members of his platoon were critically wounded, including the platoon leader. Sergeant Dolby moved the wounded to a safe location and took command of the platoon. Despite continuing intense enemy fire, Sergeant Dolby repositioned the remaining members of the platoon to engage the enemy. With intense enemy fire and disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Dolby positioned the men to cover the withdrawal of the forward elements, assisted the wounded, and he alone, attacked the enemy positions until his ammunition was gone. Replenishing his ammunition, he returned to the area of intense action, singlehandedly killed three enemy machine gunners and neutralized the enemy fire, allowing friendly elements on the flank to advance. He personally carried a seriously wounded soldier to safety so he could be treated and, in returning to the forward area, he crawled through withering fire to within 50 meters of the enemy bunkers and threw smoke grenades to mark them for air strikes. Sergeant Dolby directed artillery fire on the enemy and succeeded in silencing several enemy weapons.
- Mr. Speaker, it is indeed an honor and a pleasure for me to rise today to pay tribute to this outstanding soldier, Sgt. David Dolby. His actions of unsurpassed valor during 4 hours of intense combat were a source of inspiration to his entire company, contributed significantly to the success of the overall assault on the enemy position, and were directly responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers. I urge all my colleagues to join me in saluting the bravery and courage of Sgt. David Dolby.
Sergeant David Charles Dolby receiving the Medal of Honor from President Lyndon Baines Johnson
CITATION:
Rank and organization. Sergeant (then Sp4c.), U.S. Army, Company B, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Place and date. Republic of Vietnam, 21 May 1966. Entered service at: Philadelphia, Pa. Born: 14 May 1946, Norristown, Pa. G.O. No.: 45, 20 October 1967.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, when his platoon, while advancing tactically, suddenly came under intense fire from the enemy located on a ridge immediately to the front. Six members of the platoon were killed instantly and a number were wounded, including the platoon leader. Sgt. Dolby's every move brought fire from the enemy. However, aware that the platoon leader was critically wounded, and that the platoon was in a precarious situation, Sgt. Dolby moved the wounded men to safety and deployed the remainder of the platoon to engage the enemy. Subsequently, his dying platoon leader ordered Sgt. Dolby to withdraw the forward elements to rejoin the platoon. Despite the continuing intense enemy fire and with utter disregard for his own safety, Sgt. Dolby positioned able-bodied men to cover the withdrawal of the forward elements, assisted the wounded to the new position, and he, alone, attacked enemy positions until his ammunition was expended. Replenishing his ammunition, he returned to the area of most intense action, single-handedly killed 3 enemy machine gunners and neutralized the enemy fire, thus enabling friendly elements on the flank to advance on the enemy redoubt. He defied the enemy fire to personally carry a seriously wounded soldier to safety where he could be treated and, returning to the forward area, he crawled through withering fire to within 50 meters of the enemy bunkers and threw smoke grenades to mark them for air strikes. Although repeatedly under fire at close range from enemy snipers and automatic weapons, Sgt. Dolby directed artillery fire on the enemy and succeeded in silencing several enemy weapons. He remained in his exposed location until his comrades had displaced to more secure positions. His actions of unsurpassed valor during 4 hours of intense combat were a source of inspiration to his entire company, contributed significantly to the success of the overall assault on the enemy position, and were directly responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers. Sgt. Dolby's heroism was in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army.
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